From what I've learned it doesn't cause any sovereignty issues, doesn't require any new legislation, and has some bipartisan support. However the support breaks down within the repub party between basically internationalists (like McCain, H.W. Bush, Dole, and some other older republicans vs. newer teaparty isolationists like Corker, Rubio, etc). Over 125 other countries have already ratified this treaty including China (which isn't known for their human rights). Basically all people including those with disabilities. Thought I would get the boards thoughts since we have a range of political leanings on it.

Comments (63)

But what about the schooling part? Depending on the child and the school district, many school districts are not equipped to deal with SN children and I know many parents that homeschool. And "registering" your child from birth?

And I wasn't being snarky, but since you were, sounds like are reading the whole thing with rose-colored glasses just as I may be reading with skepticism. Like I said, I have a SN child so I am not going to just take the govts word that its good for my child. Am going to read with skepticism until they prove me otherwise.

What the treaty calls for, non-discriminatory treatment of people with disabilities, is already U.S. law. In fact, the treaty demands that we meet our own basic human rights standards and not discriminate against the 56.7 million Americans currently living with a disability. Of which, my son is one (Down syndrome).

Article 4 of the treaty, which has cited as raising "the sovereignty issue," states:

1. States Parties undertake to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind on the basis of disability. To this end, States Parties undertake:

a. To adopt all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention;

b. To take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute discrimination against persons with disabilities;

c. To take into account the protection and promotion of the human rights of persons with disabilities in all policies and programmes;

d. To refrain from engaging in any act or practice that is inconsistent with the present Convention and to ensure that public authorities and institutions act in conformity with the present Convention;

e. To take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability by any person, organization or private enterprise.

U.S. law already meets the standards the treaty requests. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) "prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications." If a law, policy, or program is found to be discriminatory, the government has the power, through the Department of Justice, to enforce the ADA on both a private and public level.

Former Sen. Bob Dole (R) and former Congressman Tony Cohelo (D) have basically said that since the U.S. has been a leader in ensuring rights for individuals with disabilities, ratification does not require changes to laws in the U.S. Ratification would signal to the world that the U.S. is committed to international standards for disability rights and will play a leadership role in implementation of the treaty obligations.

The treaty specifically states that the accommodations requested would only be mandatory if they do not impose "a disproportionate or undue burden," and under current U.S. law, parents are authorized to appeal any administration decision regarding their child's education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees parents "can request a due process hearing and a review from the State educational agency if applicable in that state. They also can appeal the State agency's decision to State or Federal court."

There is nothing in this that is counter to anything in the ADA or the IDEA.

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America isn't officially open for business until M. Bachmann stands on the House floor and summons the Anti-Christ by shouting "Benghazi!" 3 times.

Oy. People and their ethnocentrism really irritate me. If you read this from the "American" only stand point of course registering you child sounds scary. The fact is all live births in America are registered it's called a birth certificate.

There are countries in the world where babies born with visible disabilities are still torn from their mothers and taken to institutions to live their days. They are assigned numbers, not names. They aren't recorded as people or offered the rights that other citizens of the country enjoy.

I cannot believe that the people we elected to be leaders of this country can be so ignorant. Actually, I doubt it is ignorance on their part. I guess that they exploit the ignorance of their constituents for political scare tactics to further their agenda. I'm beyond disgusted.

i can understand your concerns Tara as a sn parent, but just look at the comments under that FB link you posted. a commenter named Heather pretty much took apart the author's "interpretation" of the treaty